European ant lion
The European ant lion, also known as the doodle bug, is an insect belonging to the Neuroptera order and Myrmeleontidae family. Typically found in sandy soils of woods, forests, and plantations, this species is primarily located in Europe but has also become common in the southern United States and other warm climates. The name "ant lion" reflects its predatory behavior, as the larval stage of the insect creates conical pits in the sand to trap ants and other small prey. When an unsuspecting insect falls into the pit, the European ant lion, which possesses large pinchers, quickly seizes it.
In its adult form, the European ant lion measures about one inch in length and has a wingspan of approximately two inches. Adults are characterized by their slender, hairy bodies and lace-like wings, and they typically feed on flower pollen rather than preying on insects. The reproductive habits of the species involve females laying eggs individually in sandy or grassy locations. After hatching, the larvae rapidly begin constructing their sand pits and capturing food, eventually transitioning into a pupal stage before emerging as adults in the spring. The European ant lion generally has a life span of one to three years, showcasing a unique lifecycle that includes both predatory and herbivorous stages.
Subject Terms
European ant lion
The European ant lion is also commonly known as the doodle bug. Since the European ant lion is very sensitive to movement and sound, children often try to call the doodle bug from its sandy home. Sometimes the doodle bug responds to the sound and creeps out from beneath its sand pit.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Uniramia
Class: Insecta
Order: Neuroptera
Family: Myrmeleontidae
Genus: Myrmeleon
Species: Formicarius
The European ant lion is typically found in woods, forests, and plantations with sandy soil. Although it was once only common in Europe, this insect is now common in the southern United States and other areas with warm climates.
The European ant lion is given its name for its original geographic location, its ant eating habit, and its lion-like actions. The larval, or young, European ant lion digs pits in the sand and waits for its prey. As an insect walks over the sand pit of an European ant lion larva, the sand quickly slips out from underneath the insect and the ant lion appears. The European ant lion waits just under the surface of its pit to devour its prey. During the larval stage of its life, the European ant lion has two very large pinchers. It uses these pinchers to grab and hold its prey.
The adult European ant lion grows to a length of about one inch (2 1/2 centimeters). It has a wingspan of about two inches (five centimeters). At this stage of a European ant lion's life it has a long, slender, hairy body and two pairs of large, lace-like wings. On its head, the European ant lion has two large eyes and two thin, thread-like antennae. These antennae help the European ant lion to sense its environment.
Like other insects, the European ant lion is divided into three main body parts. These parts are the head, thorax, or middle section, and abdomen, or tail section. The European ant lion also has three pairs of legs.
While the larva of the European ant lion has a complex method for catching its prey, the adult European ant lion does not. The adult European ant lion is typically seen feeding on the pollen of flowers.
Unlike the European ant lion's close relatives, the lacewings and mantispids, this insect does not lay its eggs in strands in or near water. The female European ant lion typically lays her eggs individually in the sand, on a rock, or in the grass. Shortly after hatching, larval European ant lions begin to dig sand pits and catch prey. Eventually they move from this stage into their pupal stage. At that point they spin cocoons around their bodies and continue growing. In general, they remain in these cocoons throughout the winter and emerge in the spring in their adult forms. Mating takes place shortly after they emerge as adults.
The European ant lion has an average life span of one to three years.
The European ant lion is just one species of ant lion. Some species do not form sand pits like the larvae of the European ant lion.